Jewelers of America has invited Congressman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) to be the guest speaker at the opening ceremony of the JA New York Summer Show, July 29, at 9:15 a.m., at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Rangel’s remarks will precede the opening of the show at 9:30 a.m., after which he will briefly walk the show floor and meet various industry members.

Rangel is the chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, considered the most powerful committee in Congress, due to its jurisdiction over tax and trade legislation, including Social Security and Medicare. Ways and Means has considered legislation of crucial interest to the jewelry industry over the years, including luxury tax measures and changes to the Generalized System of Preferences. In this current session of Congress, Ways and Means is also likely to have jurisdiction over legislation that would permit the individual states to require collection of sales taxes by Internet and other remote retailers. JA argues that the passage of such legislation is critical to the industry, as it would act to level the playing field between bricks and mortar retailers and Internet-only retailers.

“He will preside over legislation on a variety of issues that Jewelers of America is tracking in Washington, D.C.,” said Matthew A. Runci, JA president and chief executive officer.

Added, Drew Lawsky, JA New York Show director, “We welcome the chairman to walk the aisles of the show and view the wide array of products and services our exhibitors have on offer.”

JCK